America recruited us to open a farm, then made us self-deport

All I’ve ever wanted was to continue supporting our community’s dairy economy. So far though, American immigration policy has made that impossible.

Garion Mulder is studying agribusiness at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota. He grew up in Bellingham, Minnesota. 

I grew up on our Bellingham, Minnesota, dairy farm. By 6, I’d learned to ride and operate a skid loader, which is a heavy machine we used to fill the feed wagon and move snow. By 7, I was driving a tractor to deliver feed to our cows. When I wasn’t attending school or doing chores, I’d scamper down to the Yellow Bank River with my little brother to fish or play in the mud. 

I loved our rural life so much that I eventually studied for degrees in dairy and livestock management and production. All I’ve ever wanted was to continue supporting our community’s dairy economy. So far though, American immigration policy has made that impossible.